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Djerdap Gorge - Dramatic Geography and History Belgrade, Nov.25, 2009 (Serbia Today) - Arguably, one of the most beautiful parts of the Danube river is where the Panonian sea broke through the Carpathisn Mountains, and created what is now known as the Djerdap Gorge. It is believed that this same ‘super flood’ of the Black Sea over surrounding mountains, that drove a huge water mass through Bosforos and the Dardanels and created the myth of Atlantis. Biblical scholars have even speculate the story of Noah’s Ark even has its origins in the same event. Measuring 100 km in length, the Djerdap Gorge is cuts through mountainsides of solid rock to allow the Danube passage. The first settlers in the gorge were fruit gatherers who came to Lepenski Vir, Vlasac and Padina 9000 years ago. Roman Emperor Trajan spent time in the gorge during his conquests in the East and during his battles against the Dacians, an ancient Indo-European people inhabiting what is now the mountainous regions of Romania, Moldova, and Serbia. It was only after Trajan had made a road through the gorge and a bridge across the Danube, that he managed to defeat the Dacians. It took two years to build the 1133 meter long bridge, which was considered a great achievement at the time. Only the settlement of Lepenski Vir and Trajan's plaque show traces of these works in the area. Djerdap Gorge is often related to a great Serbian hero Milos Obilic who used to hunt on Miroc mountain where he met prince Lazar. It is said that Milos built the Tuman monastery near Golubac. Vast valleys of Ljupkovska, Donjemilanovacka and Orsavska can be found between the Djerdap Gorge and other gorges in the area. At the entrance into Djerdap Gorge there is the old town of Golubac and Babakaj rock. It is said that the Turks kidnapped a girl from Golubana and took her to a harem. The girl couldn't accept the harsh fate of being a harem beauty so the Turks tied her on Babakaj rock where she eventually passed away. The town on its steep slope was named Golubac in her honor. There is one fortress at the beginning of the Gorge and another at its end. The remains of once powerful fortress Fetislam are located near Kladovo. There are many caves near the river edge, the most important of which is Rajko’s Cave near Majdanpek, placed on the rocky banks of the Boljetin River. The Djerdap Gorge is, in a sense, a history book of both Serbia and our planet. The dramatic geography and natural beauty of the region is reason enough for a visit.
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Serbia is a home to several beautiful natural reserves. Most famous are Djerdap Gorge on the Danube River, National park Fruška Gora, National park Kopaonik, National Park Tara, and natural preserve of Deliblatska Peščara ( Deliblato Sand).
For the lovers of the pristine lakes a visit to one of several lake reserves is “a must”. Most popular lakes are Lake Silver, Lake Palić, Ludarsko Lake, Vlasinsko Lake, and Belocrkvanska Lakes.
The canyons of the Rivers Drina and Tara are very attractive to those interested in whitewater rafting.
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